Last Updated Saturday, 11-May-2002 23:15:25 EDT
More information On the feline SPHYNX Breed.
Drawing of a SPHYNX Cat
The Sphynx is a cat with tough,
wrinkled, hairless skin which usually have been spontaneous
mutations, or anomalies, in unexpected domestic or Devon Rex litters,
but some Sphynx to Sphynx breedings do produce hairless kittens. The
Sphynx have been know to occur in nature for many years, but just
recently have been recognized for competition by some cat
associations. The Sphynx is extremely affectionate, loving, sweet and
sensitive. They purr constantly. They are intelligent, affectionate
cats who love body contact with their owners. They come in all
colors. Their normal body temperature is 4 degrees higher than most
other breeds which make them feel like a warm, suede hot water
bottle.
ORIGIN. The origin of the Sphynx cats have always been "clothed" in mystery. A spontaneous mutation, reports of these fascinating cats have been made from as far back as the turn of the century and in as diverse locations as New Mexico and Canada. Even in Antiquity there are artifacts of cats some have hair drawn on them and some don't. Was the artist not skilled enough to draw hair, lazy or some other reason, or what the artist portraying an unusual thing a hairless cat?
TODAY. Most of today's Sphynx spring from two females, Punkie and Paloma, who were rescued from the streets of Toronto, Canada, and sent to Holland. As there was no Sphynx male available in Holland, a white Devon Rex male, Curare van Jetrophin, was used in their breeding program. The off-spring from these breedings were sold in Holland and France and are the foundation of most of our present day Breeding Sphynx, The majority of Sphynx in America today are descended from a breeding between a French Sphynx, Chnoem de Calecat (son of Paloma), and Britanya's Aida Lott, A Devon Rex females. This breeding produced a litter of four Sphynx kittens. Out crossing the offspring of these Sphynx cats with healthy, unrelated Devon Rex has provided the strong, robust Sphynx of today, and the expanded gene pool so necessary for the health and the perpetuation of the Sphynx.
OPINIONS. Contrary to some opinions, the Sphynx isn't a hairless cat. The body of a Sphynx may be covered with a very short down; and the ears, muzzle, tail and feet are covered with soft, tightly-packed short hair, however some have very little or none. Skin of the Sphynx has a wrinkled appearance, especially in kittens, who sometimes look as if they are wearing pajamas about three sizes too large. The skin temperature is very warm feeling to the touch like a "warm peach" or suede hot water bottle. The head of the Sphynx is slightly longer than it is wide with prominent cheekbones and a rounded muzzle with a distinct stop at the bridge of the nose. Large, expressive eyes and strikingly huge ears, neither low set nor on top of the head, give the finishing touches to the "gremlin" look that is unique to the Sphynx. Of medium frame, the Sphynx has a broad chest which may tend toward being barrel-chested. The body's very sturdy, hard and muscular. The body is rounded through the abdomen giving the appearance of having just eaten a large meal, but not fat. The tail is long arid whippy, tapering from body to tip, sometimes having a lion tail (puff of hair on the tip). They should Not be a small cat.
REQUIRE. Sphynx require no special diet or complicated care. Nor do they need to wear clothes. Bathing is necessary because, like children, they can get dirty from "playing in the sandbox". They require no special foods although they do have ravenous appetites and eat more than most cats, probably because of the higher metabolic rate needed to maintain a higher body temperature. INDOOR. They obviously must be indoor cats as they can sunburn and chill easily. An indoor temperature that is comfortable for humans is fine for the Sphynx and if they get chilly they will find a warm spot under the covers, on the TV, etc..
TEMPERAMENT. The Sphynx temperament is extraordinary; it is
hard to find words to describe them. Sweet little "bundles of love",
their capacity for love and loyalty to their humans is endless.
Brimming with affection, they will drape themselves around your neck,
plant great sloppy kisses all over your face, and cling like a baby
with their "arms" around you. We've never had or seen a bad-tempered
Sphynx. They are lively, inquisitive and full of mischief. They know
every trick in the book and have tried them all at least once. They
are friendly and outgoing with other cats, dogs and the whole human
race. Intelligent beyond belief, we sometimes wonder if they really
are cats peering out from those human-looking eyes, or are they
perhaps little creatures from somewhere else, with the wisdom of the
ages written on their souls. Whatever they may be, we know from
experience that the Sphynx are some of the most delightful and
lovable cats ever to appear in the UNIVERSE!
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